North Stars name Degagne new head coach

THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay North Stars of the Superior International Junior Hockey League announced today the hiring of Rob Degagne as their new head coach. He replaces Jeremy Adduono, who had his contract expire at the conclusion of the North Stars season.

Degagne has guided the Thunder Bay major midget Kings in the North American Prospects Hockey League the past two years and led the team to an overall record of 47-19-2 this past season. The 52-year old native of Thunder Bay had a very successful playing career in the Ontario Hockey League with the North Bay Centennials and also skated with the Peoria Rivermen of the International Hockey League before returning home to play for both the Thunder Bay Senior Twins and Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks of the Colonial Hockey League.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to the new challenge of working with the North Stars and the SIJHL,” said Degagne.

Kings President / Director of Hockey Operations Gary Linquist is convinced Degagne will be a successful junior coach. “I worked with Rob for close to two years with the Major Midget Kings program and got to see his effect on our team firsthand,” Linquist said. “With Rob’s ability to maximize the potential of his players and the value he has brought back into our program in such a short time, I feel the move at this point in Rob’s coaching career is a positive not only for the North Stars but also for the Kings Organization as it shows we develop not only players but coaches as well,” Linquist added.

“We’d like to thank Jeremy Adduono and his coaching staff for all of their hard work and dedication to our program and we look forward to our future with Rob behind the bench,” stated North Stars President/Co-General Manager Scott Kellaway.

Adduono compiled an overall record of 120-68-17 in his four seasons with the North Stars. He was named SIJHL Coach of the Year in 2014-15.